Religious groups upset over Indonesian politics

Religious groups upset over Indonesian politics

JAKARTA (JP): Two religious organizations expressed their
concern on Sunday over various political developments and the
coming General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly
(MPR).

The Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) called in a
statement signed by chairman Sularso Sopater and secretary
general J.M. Pattiasina for the House of Representatives to halt
its deliberation of the bill on state security, and defer the job
to the new House elected in the June 7 general election.

Citing the arduous deliberations and large amount of time
needed for the job, the communion warned that the document could
trample on human rights. The organization said the controversial
document also has the potential to suppress people's freedom and
creativity.

"Judging by the public reaction over the document, with due
respect to the existence of the House members who will soon end
their term, please do not leave behind a time bomb," the
organization said.

Separately, the Indonesian Council of Mosques said in a media
briefing here on Saturday that activists and managers of mosques
across the country should remain neutral and maintain their
neutrality in the coming General Session of the MPR.

"The Indonesian Council of Mosques is taking a neutral stance
in the face of the current political situation, it will not take
sides with any interest groups," chairman Kafrawi Ridwan said as
quoted by Antara.

"We will not support any presidential candidates," he said.

"Mosques become divided if managers choose to be partisan to
any political interests," he said when disclosing the plan to
hold a congress of the council here next month.